“Multiple fatalities” in St. Lucie County

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Lucie County Sheriff confirmed there are “multiple fatalities” in the county following a tornado outbreak Wednesday.

Sheriff Keith Pearson confirmed that several people were killed at the Spanish Lakes Country Club, a retirement community on Spanish Lakes Boulevard near Fort Pierce.

It is unclear how many people died or how many others were injured.

Pearson said they were checking every home to help those affected while search and rescue operations were underway.

“They are listening at risk of life,” Pearson said of what deputies do when they visit homes in the neighborhood. “This is a weather event like no other.”

The sheriff told WPTV anchor Meghan McRoberts that between “6 and 12” tornadoes touched down in the county.

Dozens of agencies, including Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials, have responded to the community.

“Our number one goal is life safety,” Pearson said. “We want to reach anyone who may be trapped under the rubble or in these situations and get them out safely.”

The sheriff said “well over 100 homes” were lost across the county due to the severe weather outbreak.

Officials said the state has sent about 100 search and rescue personnel to the county to assist local authorities.

WATCH: ‘Dozens of homes’ damaged, St. Lucie County spokesman says

Search and rescue operations underway in St. Lucie County following tornadoes

“We have dozens of homes in St. Lucie County that were damaged, some catastrophic damage,” said St. Lucie County spokesman Erick Gill. “We are working with the St. Lucie County Fire District … National Guard as well as sheriff’s office units and even first responders from surrounding counties to assist in search and rescue.”

Gill said their goal is to get into communities where multiple tornadoes have touched down to help survivors and assess damage.

“We have three shelters that were already open, but we are considering converting another school into a fourth shelter to care for those who may have been displaced by the tornadoes that ripped through our area this afternoon.” said Gill.

They existed Multiple tornadoes on the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County caused by Hurricane Milton approaching Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said there were 116 tornado warnings on Wednesday with 19 confirmed touchdowns.

Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, said multiple responders were heading to affected areas.
      
Guthrie said about 125 homes were destroyed statewide, mostly mobile homes in senior living communities.

Milton Landing made in Florida near Siesta Key just after 8:30 p.m., but its wrath was felt throughout the Sunshine State for most of the day.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.